It appears Jeff Van Gundy has landed his next gig.
The Boston Celtics hired the former NBA head coach and longtime ESPN broadcaster as a senior consultant, according to MassLive.
Van Gundy, who spent 16 years with the World Wide Leader and ABC as a color analyst, was one of about 20 on-air talents recently laid off by ESPN in July in a cost-cutting move.
Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix reported that Van Gundy, 61, had “been actively exploring a return to coaching.”
At the time, Van Gundy reportedly had talks with the Mavericks and Celtics about a coaching job, in addition to “mutual interest” with the Wizards, per Mannix.
Van Gundy brings some much-needed coaching experience to head coach Joe Mazzulla’s staff.
Van Gundy was head coach of the Knicks from 1996-2001, leading them to the NBA Finals in 1999.
He was also head coach of the Rockets from 2003-07 before his stint with ESPN.
The Celtics have made it a point to bring in assistant coaches with history in the NBA after flaming out against the No. 8 seed Heat in the Eastern Conference finals last season under rookie head coach Joe Mazzulla.
The team also hired Sam Cassell and Charles Lee — two of the top assistants in the league and presumed to be future head coaches — before bringing in Van Gundy.
Mazzulla, 34, took the helm of the team weeks before last season kicked off after Ime Udoka was suspended for the season for violations of team rules, including a reported inappropriate relationship with a female staff member.
The Celtics are considered one of the favorites to win the 2024 NBA Finals after a bevy of off-season moves.
The team dealt away fan-favorite Marcus Smart in a move to bring in former All-Star Kristaps Porzingis.
Earlier this month, the Celtics traded for Jrue Holiday, another former All-Star, sending out Malcolm Brogdon and Robert Williams III.